Lincoln Public Library DistrictInternet Access Policies

PUBLIC COMPUTERS/INTERNET ACCESS

In a continuing effort to meet the recreational, educational, and informational needs of the Lincoln community the Lincoln Public Library District (the Library) provides public access to the Internet.

THE LIBRARY DOES NOT EMPLOY THE USE OF INTERNET FILTERS OR BLOCKING SOFTWARE ON ANY OF ITS PUBLIC ACCESS COMPUTERS.

ADULT INTERNET SERVICES

The Library provides Internet access to its adult users in the Carnegie building. This is a free service available to all patrons. The patron must be 16 years of age or older to access the Internet.

To request access to the Internet a patron should show a valid form of identification. The patron's name, date, and computer number will be entered into the registration book for a one-hour usage period. If no one else is registered after the hour, the patron can renew his or her one-hour usage period until another patron registers to use the computer. Internet access is available on a first come, first serve basis. The staff will inform patrons awaiting the use of a computer when the next available computer is ready. Patrons may not interfere in any way with other patrons using or operating a computer. The Library Director must approve reservations for computer use. Those persons using the computers for employment and/or education purposes will be given priority for access and allotted time.

The Library staff can provide a very brief instruction on using the computer and/or Internet. Once this instruction is complete it becomes the patron's responsibility to properly access the Internet.

A maximum of two people is allowed at the computer terminals. The staff must be able to view the monitor at all times and will periodically check the computers during usage.

JUVENILE INTERNET SERVICES

The Library provides Internet access to its juvenile users in the Youth Services Department in the Annex building. This is a free service available to all juveniles. AS WITH OTHER LIBRARY MATERIALS, A JUVENILE'S ACCESS TO INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN. THE LIBRARY STAFF DOES NOT MONITOR A JUVENILE'S USE OF THE COMPUTERS/INTERNET. WHEN USING THE COMPUTERS/INTERNET IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN TO DETERMINE WHAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND ARE ENCOURAGED TO MONITOR THE JUVENILE'S USE OF THESE LIBRARY RESOURCES. THE LINCOLN PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT DOES NOT ACT "IN LOCO PARENTIS" (IN THE PLACE OFA
PARENT). The juvenile must be 15 years of age or younger to access the Internet in the Youth Services Department. The juvenile's parent/legal guardian must first complete a one time Internet permission card for each juvenile. The Library may periodically update the information on this card. Once the card is completed and on file in the Youth Services Department juveniles may access the Internet with or without their parent/legal guardian. Juveniles under 7 years of age must have a parent/legal guardian with them at all times during Internet use. Additional restrictions may be added to a juvenile's permission card provided the parent/legal guardian AND the Youth Services Librarian agree upon the restrictions.

In agreeing to the Library's policy regarding Internet use it is understood by the parent/legal guardian that:

Everyone agrees to abide by the Library's policy on computer and/or Internet use.

The parent/legal guardian is responsible for the juvenile's use of the computer and/or Internet.

The parent/legal guardian agrees not to hold the Library legally responsible for anything accessed by the juvenile on the Internet.

After an Internet permission card is completed and on file with the Youth Service Department the juvenile may sign up for computer and/or Internet use for a one hour maximum usage period. Internet access is available on a first come, first serve basis. Juveniles may not interfere in any way with other juveniles using or operating a computer. The Library Director or Youth Services Librarian must approve reservations for computer use. Those persons using the computers for employment and/or education purposes will be given priority for access and allotted time.

The Library staff can provide a very brief instruction on using the computer and/or Internet. Once this instruction is complete it becomes the juvenile's responsibility to properly access the Internet.

The staff must be able to view the monitor at all times and may periodically check the computers during usage.

GENERAL RULES

All copies from the computer printers are ten cents per page, no exceptions.

All public computers will be turned off at approximately 15 minutes before the Library closes. Patrons still using a computer will be given sufficient time to complete their work before the computer is turned off. The staff may use its discretion regarding special requests between 15 minutes before closing and the actual closing of the Library.

The adding, deleting, or altering of files or information relevant to the operation of the public computers is prohibited. Patrons are not allowed to store files, alter commands, or turn the computers off. All access to information on the Internet at the Library is governed under the ILLINOIS COMPILED STATUTES, Chapter 720, Criminal Offenses, Section 5, Article 11 regarding lewd, obscene, and/or pornographic materials.

The Library reserves the right to limit/deny use of a computer to those patrons having excessive fines and/or overdues.

The Library is not responsible for the content, accuracy, validity, and/or timeliness of any information accessed on the computers. By accessing the Library's computers the patron understands the statements in the policy and agrees to abide by its rules. Patrons who violate these rules may lose their computer and/or Internet privileges for a period to be determined by the Library Director. The Library may report any violations of tampering to the equipment or access to obscene/pornographic materials to the Lincoln Police Department.

Addendum to the Current Policy from Lincoln Public Library District regarding Audult usage of public access computers:

The Library will change its operational hours effective April 5, 2004. The new hours will be Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9am-5pm; Tuesday & Thursday, 9am-7pm; and Saturday, 9am-1 pm. In order for everyone in the community to have an equal opportunity to use the public access computers during these reduced hours, the Library is offering patrons a maximum of two visits or two hours per day, whichever comes first. Patrons may register for a one-hour usage period. If no one else is registered after the hour, the patron can renew his or her usage for up to one additional hour.

Lincoln Public Library District
Addendum to the Internet Policy

September 4, 2007

Public Wi-Fi Access

The Library offers free Wi-Fi access to its patrons. The Wi-Fi is available to any device capable of accessing wireless Internet transmissions. Patrons who access the Library''s Wi-Fi signal must abide by the Library's general Internet access policy. The following rules apply to the public use of the Library's Wi-Fi access:

The responsibility of connectivity rests with the patron, not the Library. The Library staff is able to confirm that the Wi-Fi access is available at a given time. The Library staff is unable to provide any technical support, troubleshooting, or configuring of a patron's device.

The Library staff is prohibited from making any physical contact with any device.

The Library cannot guarantee a Wi-Fi signal or that the entire public area will contact a Wi-Fi signal. There may be "dead spots" within each building. The Library makes no guarantee that the Wi-Fi signal will extend to the outside of the buildings.

The Library cannot guarantee that an electrical outlet will be available to patrons wishing to access the Wi-Fi. Electrical outlets can be accessed providing they do not impede or block the pedestrian traffic in the Library. Patrons are allowed to access the Wi-Fi only in designated seating areas. Rearranging of the Library's tables and chairs is prohibited unless the Library gives its approval.

The Library is unable to provide a Wi-Fi printer. Patrons are encouraged to email their information to a site that provides printing services; they may also use the existing public access computers in conjunction with the rules of the Library's Internet policy.

The Library's Wi-Fi signal is available to patrons during the Library's regular business hours. This signal and the Internet access are unfiltered. The Library's Wi-Fi signal may be unsecure. Information sent to/from any device may be captured by anyone else with a wireless device and the appropriate software.

The Lincoln Public Library District assumes no responsibility for the safety of devices or equipment used in connection to the Library's Wi-Fi wireless access.